Israel holidays

---

• Overview
• Country info
• Holiday ideas

---

Destinations » Middle East holidays » Israel holidays

"No other historic city evokes such inflammatory argument to this day." Amos Elon, describing Jerusalem in 1989

Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.

Israel holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Israel holiday, personal to you.

---

Israel tailor-made holiday highlights

Jerusalem
The narrow streets of the Old City house sites of great historic and religious significance to a third of the world's population. Enchanting at dawn.

Bethlehem
Typical Palestinian Arab town in appearance, which throbs with pilgrims drawn to Christendom's oldest complete and working church, built over the site of the Nativity in Manger Square.

Dead Sea
The lowest point in the world, at 400-metres below sea level, this lake is known for its high levels of salt which allow swimmers to float on the surface. Supposedly brimming with health-giving minerals, the Dead Sea has spawned a tourism industry based upon the health and beauty potential of the region.

Negev Desert
Arid, stone-strewn landscape, which comprises about half of the country's land mass, but contains just seven per cent of the population. Its trails are suitable for travel by four-wheel-drive jeep, or on the back of a lolloping camel.

Red Sea
The busy port of Eilat is a popular resort and watersports centre, with glorious coral reefs fringed by fine beaches. It's a perfect environment for swimming, windsurfing, parasailing and water-skiing.

Tel Aviv
Israel's largest city has a diverse cultural mix of residents, bustling markets, bars and restaurants, and some of the best beaches in the Middle East. It also has the Diaspora Museum, chronicling Jewish culture in exile, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.

People & place

Israel facts

Capital: Jerusalem
Language: Hebrew and Arabic.
People:
Religion: Jewish. Sunni Muslim minority.
Size (sq km): 20,770.
Population: 6,426,679.
Population density/sq km: 309.4.

Etiquette

The word shalom, meaning peace, is used for hello and goodbye. Respect local customs and behaviour: people generally feel strongly about their beliefs. In Christian, Jewish and Muslim holy places, visitors should dress modestly. At some significant places, such as the Wailing Wall, male visitors are given a cardboard yarmulke (scull cap) to wear. It is considered a violation of the shabbat (lasting from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) to smoke in some restaurants and hotels. Avoid discussing Middle Eastern politics.

Shopping

Jewellery, diamonds and precious stones, ceramics, embroidery, glassware, and wines.

Food & drink

A combination of Oriental and Western cuisines, as well as diverse dishes reflecting the previous nationalities of many Israelis – Russian bortsch, Viennese schnitzel, Hungarian goulash and Middle Eastern dishes such as falafel (chickpea fritters). Traditional Jewish food includes gefilte fish, chopped liver and chicken soup. Good choice of local brandies and liqueurs such as Arak (aniseed based spirit) and the exquisite Sabra (chocolate orange liqueur).

International Airports

Tel Aviv - Ben Gurion (TLV) 14 km from the city, Tel Aviv - Dov Hoz (SDV) 2km from the city, Eilat - J Hozman (ETH) 8 km from the city.

Internal travel

Excellent roads. Buses are comfortable and clean. Railways are good, the main line runs along the coast. Ferries run across the Sea of Galilee. Sheruts, or shared taxis run on fixed routes with fixed prices. Car hire is available in major cities.

Red tape

Visas

None.

Vaccinations

Hep. A, Hep. B, Rabies, Typhoid.

Driving requirements

Full driving licence and insurance. An International Driving Permit is recommended.

Reps in UK/US

UK: 2 Palace Green, London W8 4QB, tel (020) 7957 9500, fax (020) 7957 9555, email public3@london.mfa.gov.il. US: 3514 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel (202) 364 5500, email info@washington.mfa.gov.il.

UK/US reps in Israel

UK: 192 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63405, tel (3) 725 1222, fax (3) 510 1167. US: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903, email ac5@bezegint.net.

Currency

New Israeli shekel (IS) = 100 agorots.

Finance

All major credit cards and traveller's cheques accepted.

Business hours

0830-1200, 1600-1800 Sunday-Tuesday & Thursday, 0830-1230 Wednesday, 0830-1200 Friday.

Safety & life expectancy

Safety information

Gaza Strip and West Banks areas are dangerous; it's not advisable to go within 10 km of the Gaza area. Avoid the Lebanon border. Threat of terrorism is widespread. Seek latest information at time of visit.

Life expectancy

Life expectancy: M 77.44, F 81.85.

Useful websites for travel

http://london.mfa.gov.il, www.go-israel.org, www.israelemb.org, www.goisrael.com, www.usembassy-israel.org.il, www.visit-palestine.com, www.infotour.co.il.

Local media

Jerusalem Post International Edition is published weekly.

Tourist boards

UK: UK House, 180 Oxford Street, London W1D 1NN, tel (020) 7299 1100, fax (020) 7299 1112, email info@igto.co.uk. US: 800 Second Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10017, tel (212) 499 5650, fax (212) 499 5655, email igtonewyork@imot.org.

Israel tailor-made holiday ideas

Jerusalem
The narrow streets of the Old City house sites of great historic and religious significance to a third of the world's population. Enchanting at dawn.

Bethlehem
Typical Palestinian Arab town in appearance, which throbs with pilgrims drawn to Christendom's oldest complete and working church, built over the site of the Nativity in Manger Square.

Dead Sea
The lowest point in the world, at 400-metres below sea level, this lake is known for its high levels of salt which allow swimmers to float on the surface. Supposedly brimming with health-giving minerals, the Dead Sea has spawned a tourism industry based upon the health and beauty potential of the region.

Negev Desert
Arid, stone-strewn landscape, which comprises about half of the country's land mass, but contains just seven per cent of the population. Its trails are suitable for travel by four-wheel-drive jeep, or on the back of a lolloping camel.

Red Sea
The busy port of Eilat is a popular resort and watersports centre, with glorious coral reefs fringed by fine beaches. It's a perfect environment for swimming, windsurfing, parasailing and water-skiing.

Tel Aviv
Israel's largest city has a diverse cultural mix of residents, bustling markets, bars and restaurants, and some of the best beaches in the Middle East. It also has the Diaspora Museum, chronicling Jewish culture in exile, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.